Detonator and munition

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a detonator, in particular for a detonation of pyrotechnics. The invention additionally relates to a munition having said detonator. The aim of the invention is to achieve a high degree of variability when using practice munitions in particular and other non-lethal munitions. This is achieved in that the detonator consists at least of a detonation transmitter, wherein the detonation transmitter is coated with a thin layer of an explosive. The detonation transmitter can be a shock tube without an explosive capsule.

FIELD

The invention deals with an igniter, in particular with the ignition of pyrotechnics. The invention also deals with a munition having this igniter.

For example, a signal cartridge, a smoke thrower with a rocker lever, also called an irritation body, or make-and-break ignition, tip flares etc. are currently used as an exercise munition. Here the active material is controlled by means of a mechanical ignition by a percussion cap, which then ignites the pyrotechnic element. The ignition path here consists of a firing pin, the percussion cap, and the active charge of the pyrotechnics. Irritation bodies also have a similar design, which can be used as a non-lethal measure for disorientation, etc.

BACKGROUND

DE 10 2010 052 209 A1 and DE 10 2016 111 947 A1 describe an irritation body which includes a rocker lever for triggering an effect charge integrated in the irritation body.

The initiation of explosive charges by means of shock tubes is well known. Shock tubes are non-electrical detonation initiation systems such as “Nonel EZ DET 1.4 B” of the company Dyno Nobel. The shock tube classically ignites an explosive capsule. The explosive capsule contains a detonative charge, for example HDX.

In practice, the shock tube systems are pre-assembled, that is an ignition unit, a cable drum, a shock tube, and a trigger with an explosive capsule are assembled and delivered as such. The advantages of the shock tubes are inter alia that they have good reliability and a manageable design and that they are insensitive to electrical or electromagnetic influences. This property enables variations of assembly and a wide range of applications in the field of defense technology.

It is a disadvantage, on the other hand, that the use of shock tubes in combination with an explosive capsule or a detonator produces high temperatures and pressure or a detonation wave. Therefore, the use of this is only allowed in specially protected areas. This prevents the use of current shock tube systems with explosive capsules as an igniter for training munitions in the policing or military fields for realistic ingress simulations including of ingress blocking, for example.

The use of the well-known shock tube systems with explosive capsules as an igniter for in particular training munitions in policing and military areas has so far been excluded due to the disadvantages of the shock tube systems, although DE 20 2017 102 257 U1 names an igniter, consisting of a mechanical trigger, a thermo tube or shock tube of variable length and an explosive capsule for military or police use. Here the tube, trigger and explosive capsule are encapsulated, mounted in a protective tube, and arranged and formed to be extracted from the protective tube with the explosive capsule.

DE 10 2006 007 483 A1 names an ignition tube called a shock tube. This ignition tube is multi-layered with an inner polymer layer, an outer polymer layer and at least one intermediate layer with tear-resistant reinforcement threads.

SUMMARY

It is the object of the invention to demonstrate a variable igniter, which can be used in particular for exercise munitions or other non-lethal munitions.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1. The subordinate claims reflect advantageous versions.

The invention is based on the idea of enabling the application of a shock tube in combination with a pyrotechnic device. A direct sympathetic ignition transfer from the shock tube to the pyrotechnic charge should take place. A detonative implementation is excluded.

The ignition chain consists of only three energetic elements: a percussion cap, a shock tube, and an ignition mixture. The percussion cap is preferably mechanically deformed and ignited. The mechanical effect can be received from a firing pin, for example. The percussion cap acts on the shock tube. According to the invention this is vapor deposited with an explosive and is energetic. For its part, the ignition mixture is ignited by the flame jet from the shock tube.

The active charge can comprise a luminous charge, for example a luminous star, a smoke body, a flash, a bang etc. The active charge or the pyrotechnic element is ignited by the ignition mixture in order to react.

The shock tube is preferably integrated in a thin tube or a sleeve. Using this connecting sleeve, clamping or a force-locked connection of the shock tube is ensured, both on the ignition side, on which the percussion cap is installed, as well as on the firing side, where the pyrotechnic ignition mixture is ignited by the flame jet of the shock tube. The shock tube is preferably crimped on both sides in an airtight and watertight manner.

The diameter of the connecting sleeve should be in the range of 2-5 mm. A metal is preferable as a material. The length and/or shape of the connecting sleeve can also be freely selected but should be matched to the shock tube. The length of the shock tube is also freely selectable.

This basic idea causes a simple, alternative ignition of pyrotechnics and is characterized by a simple attachment to the pyrotechnic element. If no electrical ignition is performed, there is no longer a problem of electromagnetic sensitivity. Shielding is not necessary.

Flexible or variable ignition chains and different lengths of sympathetic ignition paths can be adjusted, in this case by the length and/or shape of the shock tube. The connection of different percussion caps/means and ignition systems, for example a rocker lever, is still possible. Also, the safe ignition of the pyrotechnics from a distance can be realized, wherein a spatial separation of the effect charge (pyrotechnics) and the triggering is feasible. A realistic simulation of ingress blasts without the use of safety-critical explosives is now offered.

The proposed ignition using the shock tube system allows for extremely fast ignition transmission of, for example, up to 5000 m/s.

The shock tube system can be implemented in the form of an adapter. Thus, one can also react to the operating conditions in the field and screw a selected adapter individually into or onto the munition, for example, but at least connected to the active charge of the munition.

The invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of an exemplary embodiment with a drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the idea according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a possible application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An igniter 100 is shown schematically in FIG. 1. The igniter 100 comprises at least one ignition transmitter 1.

The ignition transmitter 1 is coated with a thin layer of a special explosive (not shown in detail), for example by vapor deposition. This thin layer achieves only a small explosive effect, i.e. a possible explosive effect is minimized.

The length and/or shape of the ignition transmitter 1 are freely selectable.

The ignition transmitter 1 is arranged between a percussion cap 4 associated with the igniter 100 and an ignition charge 5. The ignition charge 5 is used here to boost an ignition flame for a subsequent, in particular pyrotechnic, element 6 (FIG. 2). The ignition charge 5 may be part of the igniter 100 or of a munition 20.

The ignition transmitter 1 is preferably at least one shock tube. However, an explosive capsule of the shock tube is dispensed with in this case.

The ignition chain of the igniter 100 begins with the ignition of the ignition transmitter 1 by means of the percussion cap 4. The ignition charge 5 is then ignited by means of the ignition transmitter 1. The detonative wave of the ignition transmitter 1 is not used for the sympathetic ignition as before when using a shock tube, but the flame which is forming is used. The ignition charge 5 in turn then initiates the pyrotechnic element 6, for example a luminous charge, a smoke charge, etc. (FIG. 2) of the munition 20.

The pyrotechnic element 6 can be housed in a housing 10 of the munition 20. This may be an exercise munition, an irritation body, or another non-lethal munition.

In a preferred implementation the percussion cap 4 may be fixed in the first connecting sleeve 2. The ignition transmitter 1 is fixed at a (first) end 1.1 in the first connecting sleeve 2 in a force-locking manner. The ignition transmitter 1 is fixed in the connecting sleeve 3 with its other (second) end on the side opposite the percussion cap 4, also in a force-locking manner. Here, an airtight and watertight fastening is preferred. An airtight and watertight connection can be realized by crimping, for example.

The connecting sleeves 2, 3 may preferably have a diameter of 2-5 mm.

The second connecting sleeve 3 may be part of the housing 10 in which the active charge or the pyrotechnic element 6 are located.

The pyrotechnic charge 5 may also be inserted in the housing 10.

Alternatively, the connecting sleeve 3 may also be able to be screwed onto the housing 10. It is important that a functional interaction between the ignition transmitter 1 and the ignition charge 5 is guaranteed.

The percussion cap 4 itself can be triggered, for example, by a rocker lever, a firing pin or the like which is not illustrated in detail.

The ignition transmission system or the shock tube system can also be designed as a modular adapter element 30. In this case, the adapter element 30 may be formed by the percussion cap 4, the ignition transmitter 1 and the ignition charge 5. However, the ignition charge 5 does not have to be part of the adapter element 30. The connecting sleeves 2, 3 may then complete the adapter element 30. Alternatively, in particular, the connecting sleeve 3 may be part of the munition 20 as already stated.

By creating such an adapter element 30, adapter elements having different lengths and/or different shapes can be created. The shape of the adapter parts 30 can be predetermined by the at least one shock tube 1. The advantage of such adapter elements 30 lies inter alia in that these adapter elements 30 are connected to the munition 20 only when their use is planned or intended. Thus, an adapter element 30 can be selected according to the situation in the field, i.e. the length and/or shape is decided according to the operational situation. 

1-12. (canceled)
 13. An igniter, consisting at least of an ignition transmitter, wherein the ignition transmitter is coated with a thin layer of an explosive material.
 14. The igniter as claimed in claim 13, wherein the length and/or shape of the ignition transmitter are freely selectable.
 15. The igniter as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ignition transmitter is fixedly installed in a connecting sleeve at one end.
 16. The igniter as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ignition transmitter is fastened in or to a second connecting sleeve at its other end.
 17. The igniter as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fastening of the ends of the ignition transmitter to or in the connecting sleeves is airtight and watertight.
 18. The igniter as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ignition transmitter is a shock tube without an explosive capsule.
 19. The igniter as claimed in claim 13, wherein a pyrotechnic ignition charge is provided after the ignition transmitter.
 20. The igniter as claimed in claim 13, wherein the igniter is designed as a modular adapter element.
 21. The igniter as claimed in claim 20, wherein various adapter elements which are different in length and/or in their shape are created.
 22. A munition with an igniter as claimed in claim 13 and a pyrotechnic element.
 23. The munition as claimed in claim 22, wherein the pyrotechnic element is accommodated in a housing to which the igniter can be attached.
 24. The munition as claimed in claim 22, wherein the attachment of the igniter is carried out by means of the connecting sleeve, which can be attached to the housing or is part of the housing. 